This is Bird of Omen’s second release on label Hand Hewn Timbre (HHT). Bird of Omen is a project from the man who is Monument of Urns, a dark metal band that has achieved a sort of cult status, if not for it’s/his recordings than for the packaging from his own HHT label. “What Was Once There Is Now Gone” continues on his sparse but very rich funeral doom path established by the first recording, “Eulogy”. Now I keep on saying “he” instead of a name because reviews do not list who “he” is. They just state that “he” is elusive and mysterious. Well that fits considering the style of the music: space, field recordings, indecipherable voices murmuring, single notes on the piano held for long time periods, haranguing guitar, pounding drums. All tracks are most often played at a dirge like pace but there is variation to make it interesting and all the more gloomily beautiful. Three lush tracks on a mini cd, a format “he” seems to enjoy. Plus the gorgeous packaging. Highly collectible. Lovely to listen to.